Floating raft.



P. DROCAR.

FLOATING RAFT.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 2|, 19! 7- :1,Q65,631. Patented May 7,1918.

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PAUL DROCAR, 0F TARRS, PENNSYLVANIA.

FLOATING RAFT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May '7, 1918.

Application filed September 21, 1917. Serial No. 192,557.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, PAUL DROCAR, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at T arrs, in the county of Westmoreland andState of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements inFloating Rafts, of which the following is a specification.

This invention comprehends the provision of means to assist in raisingsunken vessels, or to maintain damaged vessels afloat for an appreciablelength of time, the invention consisting essentially of a plurality offloats or rafts which may be coupled together to obtain the desiredbuoyancy.

The nature and advantages of the invention will be more apparent whenthe following detail description is taken in consideration with theaccompanying drawing, the invention residing in the construction,combination and arrangement of parts as claimed.

In the drawing forming part of this specification like numerals ofreference indicate similar parts in the several views and Wherein:-

Figure 1 is a view showing a number of floats or rafts coupled together.

Fig. 2 is a detail view of one of the floats or rafts.

It is my purpose to provide a number of buoyant bodies, such asindicated at 10, and while the bodies may be constructed from anysuitable material, they are preferably hollow in the nature of a tank orthe like, and preferably designed to provide pointed extremities. Eachbody at a point midway of its length is provided with an annular groove11 in which is seated an annulus 12, the latter being capable ofrotation within the groove. Carried by the annulus at diametricallyopposite points, is a plurality of hook-like elements 13 preferably fourin number. The hooks maybe of any suitable character but are preferablyin the nature of snap hooks. These bodies are primarily utilized toassist in the raising of sunken vessels, and are adapted to ,bepositioned within the vessel in superimposed rows, with the respectivebodies of the bottom row connected to the boat in any suitable mannerand to each other. The snap hooks 13 of one body are connected with thesnap hooks of the adjacent body and in this manner any number of floatsor rafts may be coupled together in a single row, and any number of rowsarranged in superimposed relation to provide for the desired buoyancy,in assisting in the raising of a sunken vessel, or the maintaining of adamaged vessel afloat for a considerable length of time. By reason ofthe fact that the annulus 12 for each body is capable of rotation, it isobvious that the hook-like elements of one body may be convenientlydisposed to be engaged by the hook-like elements of the adjacent bodyfor the purpose above stated.

'While it is believed that from the foregoing description the nature andadvantages of the invention will be readily apparent, I desire to haveit understood that what is herein shown and described is merelyillustrative of the preferred embodiment of the invention to which I donot limit myself, and that such changes may be resorted to when desiredas fall within the scope of what is claimed.

What is claimed is A device of the character described comprising abuoyant body formed as a closed hollow cylindrical shell, its endsterminating in points, the central portion of said body being providedwith a peripheral groove, an annular band disposed within said grooveand thereby prevented from longitudinal movement, and attaching meanscarried by said band.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature.

PAUL DROGAB.

Witness to signature:

W. M. CRAIG.

copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

